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On the eve of the 2015 Tony Awards this coming weekend, it is time to enjoy a few fun facts about the most prestigious awards on Broadway. Disclaimer: not all of these facts are “fun”, but if you love theatre you should at least find some of them interesting!
Did you know?

The Tony’s are named after the co-founder of the American Theatre Wing, Antoinette “Tony” Perry (1888-1946).

Mel Brooks’ The Producers holds the record for a musical winning the most Tony’s (12 awards from 15 nominations).

Stephen Sondheim has won more Tony’s than any other composer (8).

Neil Patrick Harris has hosted the Tony’s four times and ironically won an Emmy Award for hosting the Tony’s!

Harold “Hal” Prince has won the most Tony’s of anyone (21).

The first Tony Awards ceremony was held at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria hotel in 1947. Today the Tony’s are held at Radio City Music Hall.

Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman won the Tony for Best Play in 1949 and again won Tony’s for Best Revival in 1984, 1999 and 2012.

Over the decades there have been a total of 10 ties for Tony Awards.

The most Tony Awards won by a play was 7 (Tom Stoppard’s TheCoast of Utopia, 2007).

Off Broadway shows are not eligible for a Tony Award nomination.

In 2011, The Scottsboro Boys received 12 Tony Award nominations and now holds the record for the most nominations without taking home a single Tony.

There are currently 844 Tony Award voters. Of these, most live in or close to New York City and about 100 to 150 voters abstain each year.

In 2004, I Am My OwnWife became Broadway’s only monodrama to win a Tony Award for Best Play. Actor Jefferson Mays also won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play as the only actor in the play!

In its first year in 1947, attending the Tony’s cost only $7 and anyone could buy a ticket.

Want to win a Tony Award someday!?!?! Start by picking up a copy of our eBook, Sensational Scenes and Songs, chalk full of exercises to help you create amazing performances.

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